Additional Requirements and Restrictions for Some Freshman and Transfer Applicants
Texas law ensures automatic admission to the University for eligible freshman applicants. Each year the Office of Admissions must determine the high school rank an applicant will need to be automatically admitted. Automatic admission to the University, however, does not guarantee admission to an applicant’s selected major(s); all applicants are considered on a competitive basis for admission to their majors of interest. Because certain academic programs are under enrollment management policies to prevent overcrowding, and to allow for competitive access to all programs, some of the University’s programs have more competitive admission standards.
The calculus readiness requirement for engineering majors is described in Admission Tests ; the math proficiency requirement for other math-intensive majors is described in the Freshman Application Review Process . In addition, some academic programs enforce specific application and admission requirements on incoming undergraduates. These requirements are described below. With appropriate approval, other academic programs may impose similar restrictions when necessary. Be a Longhorn (http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/ ) includes a complete list of academic programs that have implemented such restrictions and details about special requirements for individual academic programs.
School of Architecture
Newly admitted students must begin their studies in a fall semester. Transfer applicants must have completed thirty hours of transferable coursework in another architecture program by the application deadline for the fall semester.
All undergraduate applicants to the School of Architecture must choose a specific topic for one of the two admission essays. In addition, all transfer applicants must submit a portfolio of their work. Details about the essay and guidelines for creating the portfolio are given on Be a Longhorn at http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/transfer/admission/majors/architecture .
McCombs School of Business
Newly admitted students must begin their studies in a summer session or a fall semester.
Applicants for transfer admission to the McCombs School must have completed microeconomics and macroeconomics (Economics 304K and 304L) and calculus I and II (Mathematics 408K and 408L or Mathematics 408C and 408D).
College of Communication
Newly admitted students must begin their studies in a fall semester.
College of Education
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. The College of Education restricts admission to all majors in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, including the athletic training and sport management majors. Students interested in athletic training enter the University as pre–athletic training majors; those interested in sport management enter as physical culture and sports majors. After completing a series of courses, students enrolled at the University may apply for admission into one of these professional programs. Admission to either program is based on academic performance, completion of the required coursework, evidence of commitment to the field, and space availability in a given semester or year. Because admission to majors in the department is so competitive, automatic admission for eligible Texas applicants is restricted to the most qualified applicants.
Cockrell School of Engineering
Newly admitted students must begin their studies in a summer session or a fall semester.
Applicants seeking admission to the Cockrell School of Engineering as freshmen or transfer students must meet the school’s calculus readiness requirement.
Options to meet the requirement for freshman applicants are explained on Be a Longhorn, http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/freshmen/admission/majors/engineering/ .
Transfer applicants must submit proof that they have completed a course that is equivalent to Mathematics 408C, Differential and Integral Calculus. The Automated Transfer Equivalency system, http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/ate/ , lets applicants find equivalent courses at most other Texas colleges. Applicants with more advanced credit in math and science also receive priority consideration.
College of Fine Arts
Department of Art and Art History. To major in the Department of Art and Art History, a student must have the approval of the Art and Art History Admissions Committee. Information about admission requirements, procedures, and deadlines is available from the office of undergraduate studies in the department. Transfer applicants must have completed thirty semester hours of transferable coursework by the March 1 application deadline to be considered for admission.
All applicants to the department must choose a specific topic for one of the two required essays. Details about the art and art history essay are given on Be a Longhorn (http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/freshmen/admission/essays for freshman applicants and http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/transfer/admission/essays for transfer applicants). Freshman and transfer applicants who wish to major in design, studio art, or visual art studies must also submit a portfolio of their work.
Students admitted to the design major must pass annual performance reviews to continue in the major.
Newly admitted students in all majors in the department must begin their studies in a fall semester.
Butler School of Music. To major in music, a student must meet University admission requirements and must pass an audition conducted by the Butler School of Music. A student who does not pass the audition may not major in music, even if he or she is admitted to the University. At the discretion of the school, a student who fails an audition may audition a second time.
Department of Theatre and Dance. Admission to programs in the Department of Theatre and Dance requires the approval of the Theatre and Dance Admissions Committee. Information about requirements, procedures, and deadlines is available from the office of undergraduate studies in the department.
Newly admitted theatre and dance students must begin their studies in a fall semester.
BFA in Theatre Studies: In addition to applying for admission to the University, applicants to the BFA in Theatre Studies must take part in a campus, phone or internet (e.g., Skype) interview and are encouraged to select BFA Theatre Studies as their first college/major choice when applying. After applying for admission, applicants to the BFA in Theatre Studies should contact the Department of Theatre and Dance to schedule an interview.
Because the BFA in Theatre Studies leads to K-12 teacher certification, applicants must have a sincere desire to teach theatre to qualify for serious admission consideration to the major. Applicants wishing to study theatre who do not plan to seek teacher certification should apply to the BA in Theatre.
Jackson School of Geosciences
The Jackson School of Geosciences admits freshmen and a limited number of transfer students in fall semesters only.
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, the Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences, and the Bachelor of Science in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology all require at least one calculus course. Prospective freshman applicants considering a major in the Jackson School are advised to take a full four years of mathematics in high school, preferably concluding with calculus. Transfer students are advised to complete at least precalculus before they enroll at the University.
Students admitted to the Jackson School who seek the Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences or the Bachelor of Arts in Geological Sciences are initially designated undeclared geosciences majors (J00100).
Environmental science. Freshman and transfer applicants who plan to seek the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a major in geological sciences should apply for admission to the entry-level major in geological sciences. They may apply for admission to the major in geological sciences when they have met the requirements given in the undergraduate catalog.
College of Liberal Arts
Environmental science. Freshman and transfer applicants who plan to seek the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a major in geographical sciences should apply for admission to the entry-level major in geographical sciences. They may apply for admission to the major in geographical sciences when they have met the requirements given in the undergraduate catalog.
Plan II Honors Program. Plan II admits new freshmen in fall semesters only. Admission is extremely competitive and requires additional application materials.
Plan II freshman admission decisions are based on the applicant’s essays, extracurricular activities, high school curriculum and performance, test scores, and information submitted via the required online honors application. Prospective honors applicants should visit Honors Programs on Be a Longhorn for details about available programs and the application process. For details about applying to Plan II Honors, visit the Plan II Honors Program Web site .
College of Natural Sciences
All students entering the College of Natural Sciences are expected to be prepared to meet the mathematics requirements of the courses in which they will enroll. All degrees in the college require completion of a college-level calculus sequence. Prospective freshmen considering a major in the college should take at least four years of math in high school, preferably concluding with calculus. Transfer applicants are strongly encouraged to have completed the calculus sequence before enrolling at UT Austin.
Entering natural sciences students are also required to take a calculus proficiency exam before they register for classes. The purpose of the exam is to test each student’s current knowledge, regardless of Advanced Placement and dual credit the student has earned. The college sends information about the placement exam to students after they are admitted.
Natural sciences students are admitted to the entry-level major for the field they wish to study. After completing some of the courses required for the degree, each student selects the major and the option he or she plans to pursue. For example, a student who plans to study physics applies to and is admitted to the entry-level physics major. After completing entry-level courses, the student chooses to pursue either the Bachelor of Arts with a major in physics or the Bachelor of Science in Physics with one of several options.
Computer science. All students entering the Department of Computer Science are admitted as entry-level computer science majors. After completing certain courses, students may apply for admission to one of the computer science degree programs. Admission may be highly competitive, and selection is based on a student’s overall academic performance, particularly in computer science and math courses. The admission process and requirements for each program are described in the undergraduate catalog.
Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Freshman and transfer applicants who plan to enter the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) should apply for admission to the entry-level major in nutrition. They may apply for admission to the CPD when they have met the requirements given in the undergraduate catalog.
Environmental science. Freshman and transfer applicants who plan to seek the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a major in biological sciences should apply for admission to the entry-level major in biological sciences. They may apply for admission to the major in biological sciences when they have met the requirements given in the undergraduate catalog.
Public health. Freshman and transfer applicants who plan to major in public health should apply for admission to the entry-level major in public health. They may apply for admission to the major in public health when they have met the requirements given in the undergraduate catalog.
Textiles and apparel. Freshman and transfer applicants who plan to major in textiles and apparel should apply for admission to the entry-level major in textiles and apparel. They may apply for admission to the major in textiles and apparel when they have met the requirements given in the undergraduate catalog. The major includes a field experience program, normally completed in the senior year. Students must apply for admission to the field experience program as described in the undergraduate catalog.
School of Nursing
Students who wish to major in nursing begin their studies by taking prerequisite course requirements as prenursing majors. During their final semester of preprofessional sequence coursework, they may apply for admission to the professional sequence in nursing. Admission to the professional sequence is competitive. Applications are accepted only from students who are enrolled in their last semester of required prerequisite coursework. Admission is offered only to the most qualified applicants. Academic performance is the primary criterion, but other factors are considered.
The student applying to the professional sequence must submit a nonrefundable processing fee of $50 with the application. More information about admission to the professional sequence in nursing is given in the undergraduate catalog and on the School of Nursing Web site (http://www.utexas.edu/nursing/ ).
College of Pharmacy
Information about admission to the professional curriculum in pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is available on the College of Pharmacy Web site and in the Undergraduate Catalog.
School of Social Work
A student who wishes to pursue a degree in social work must complete a pre–social work curriculum that includes supervised volunteer service with clients in a human services organization. The student’s application to the professional curriculum is considered on the basis of his or her academic performance and commitment to and suitability for generalist social work practice. Students usually apply to the professional curriculum in the second semester of the sophomore year or the first semester of the junior year. Applicants should contact a social work adviser for more information at (512) 471-5457.
School of Undergraduate Studies
Freshman and transfer applicants to the University who choose not to select a major when they apply for admission may apply to the School of Undergraduate Studies. In addition, applicants who are not admitted to either their first- or their second-choice major may be admitted as undeclared majors in the School of Undergraduate Studies.
Specially trained advisers assist students enrolled in the school to explore the many undergraduate programs available at the University and to find a path toward graduation in one of the University’s degree-granting colleges or schools.
While enrolled in the school, students take core coursework that will count toward any undergraduate degree. Students must transfer to a degree-granting program by the time they have completed four long- session semesters in residence in the School of Undergraduate Studies.
Admission to Upper-Division Work
In addition to the requirements outlined above, some academic programs have established minimum standards for admission to upper-division or professional sequence courses. The student should consult the undergraduate catalog and departmental advisers about eligibility to register for upper-division coursework.